Dirty cities to be announced

Dirty cities to be announced

JAKARTA: The government will announce the cleanest and
dirtiest cities in the country in mid-December to mark the start
of the race for the Adipura environmental awards.

A total of 365 cities are vying for the awards, which are
presented annually in June in conjunction with Environment Day.

"The announcement of the dirtiest cities will compel all
cities in the country to stay clean. The government expects to
see at least 50 clean cities by 2008," State Minister of the
Environment Rachmat Witoelar said on Tuesday.

Activists, journalists and community members will sit on the
selection panel for the awards.

Rachmat said the dirtiest cities would be given the chance to
improve themselves before the winners were announced. -- JP